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Mexico

Mexico

Capital:Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico)
Population:128.5M
Currency:Mexican Peso (MXN)
Language:Spanish only 92.7%, Spanish and indigenous languages 5.7%, indigenous only 0.8%, unspecified 0.8% Note: indigenous languages include various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional languages
Fruit and vegatable stand in La Crucecita, Mexico

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  • From Mexico4
  • Mexico heritage5
  • Visited4
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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Mexico.

Mexico Factsheet

Customs and Culture

Cultural Attributes

Generally, Mexicans feel individuals are more important than schedules. The Mexican people are generally proud of their country. A wealthy person would be defined as somebody who lives in a big house in a nice neighborhood, their children attend expensive schools, drive the latest year cars, and women normally will not work but will socialize. The poorer people want money to buy expensive possessions and to buy any kind of real estate.

Mexico is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world and the second most populous country in Latin America, after Brazil, where Portuguese is spoken. About 70% of the inhabitants live in urban areas. Many Mexicans migrate from rural areas that do not offer employment opportunities, such as the underdeveloped southern states and the heavily populated central plateau, to industrialized urban centers and developed areas along the US border.

By some estimates, the population of the area surrounding Mexico City is 18 million, which is the largest concentration of inhabitants in the Western Hemisphere. Cities that border the United States, such as Tijuana and Ciudad Juárez, and cities in the interior of the republic, such as Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Puebla, have experienced strong population growth in recent years.

Fruit and vegatable stand in La Crucecita, Mexico

Land of Ancient Empires, Living Traditions

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6 more cultural topics for members

Social Customs & Etiquette · Diet · Family · Dating Customs · Recreation · Student Life

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Holidays

  • Independence Day

    9/16

    Independence Day

  • Birth date - Frida Kahlo

    7/6

    Birthday

    Birth date - Frida Kahlo, Mexican artist, was born on July 6, 1907 in Mexico City.

  • Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

    11/1

    Other

    Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

  • Noche de Rabanos (Night of the Radishes)

    12/23

    Birthday

    Dec. 23 - Noche de Rabanos (Night of the Radishes)

    A uniquely Oaxaca expression of the Christmas season is the Noche de Rabanos (Night of the Radishes) on the evening of December 23rd, an evening in which the zocalo becomes the scene of a huge exhibition of figures sculpted from radishes . Often these figures are in scenes of the birth of Jesus or other scenes expressing the history and culture of Oaxacans. A contest is held with everyone vying for the first prize and having their picture in the morning paper.

  • Christmas -- Navidad

    12/25

    Christmas

    Las Posadas is the most important Christmas custom for Mexicans. It is an eight day ritual beginning December 16 until Christmas Eve. Pastorleas are another custom in many areas of Mexico. Farolitos, also called luminaries are another tradition. On Christmas day families go to church. The also get together to eat things like empanadas, enchiladas, and flan. The poinsettia originated in Mexico.

Dates of Interest

  • Mid-August

    Throughout Mexico, there are special masses, parades, and gatherings filled with song and dance to honor Our Lady. The most famous celebration is in Huamantla where streets are laid with intricate patterns of flower blossoms, moss, and dyed sawdust. Fireworks begin at midnight on August 15th and a girl (representing the town's patron saint, the Virgin of Charity) leads a procession through town to the main church. After mass, there are bands and dancing and sand paintings to enjoy. The festivities continue for another couple weeks as the Huamantla Fair brings visitors from all the surrounding areas to participate in activities that include running bulls, a rodeo, donkey and car racing, craft exhibitions, livestock shows, concerts, rides, and food.

How do people greet each other in Mexico?

The usual greeting is a handshake or a nod of the head, with hugs common between friends and women often greeting each other with a kiss on the cheek. Mexicans are generally friendly and polite, and stand close while talking.

Do

  • Use "buenos días" in the morning, "buenas tardes" at noon and before 7 p.m., and "buenas noches" at night
  • Say "disculpa" (excuse me) to get someone's attention
  • Expect friends to stand close and sometimes touch your clothing while talking

Good to know

  • Young friends may say "que onda, wey?"; adults may say "quibole!"
  • When leaving, people say "cuídate mucho", "saludos a todos", or "ahí nos vemos"

What are the dining customs in Mexico?

Staple foods include corn, beans, rice, and chillies, with tortillas eaten everywhere. Lunch, around 12 p.m., is usually the main meal, and dinner is at home depending on the family's schedule.

Do

  • Keep both hands above the table while eating
  • Stay for conversation after a meal rather than leaving directly
  • Use tortillas as scoops for sauces
  • Eat some foods with utensils and others with the hand, as appropriate

Don’t

  • Don't eat while walking on the street if you are an adult

Good to know

  • Popular dishes include frijoles refritos (refried beans) and posole (white corn boiled with pork)
  • The father normally eats at the head of the table

What should I know about visiting a Mexican home?

Mexicans are very accommodating and welcome visitors, even unannounced, serving refreshments. First-time visitors usually receive a tour of the host's home.

Do

  • Accept refreshments when offered
  • Expect a tour of the home on a first visit

Don’t

  • Don't refuse refreshments, as it is considered impolite

How do people dress in Mexico?

Most Mexicans, especially in urban areas, wear clothing common in other Western countries, while traditional clothing is worn in rural areas for daily use or festivals, valuing color and beauty.

Good to know

  • The sombrero is an iconic garment linked to the vaquero, peasant farmer, and mariachi, and protects from the sun
  • The shawl (rebozo) is a common women's accessory used as a scarf, shawl, or to carry children or market items

Are there gestures I should be aware of in Mexico?

Hand and arm gestures are often used in conversation, and items should be handed, not tossed, to another person.

Don’t

  • Don't toss an item to someone, as it shows a lack of manners and is offensive

What is family life like in Mexico?

The family unit is very important, and families are usually large, though smaller in urban areas. Traditionally the father leads the family and the mother runs the household, though this is changing as more women work.

Good to know

  • Divorce is relatively low, partly due to the Catholic population
  • When dating, a young man often meets a young woman at a prearranged place, and parental approval is important
  • Marriage follows Catholic traditions, with a civil ceremony first followed by a church ceremony

What do people do for fun in Mexico?

Soccer (fútbol) is hugely popular among children, along with basketball and volleyball to a lesser degree. Traditional games like "lotería" and sports such as baseball and bullfighting are also part of the culture.

Good to know

  • "Lotería" is a group game played at fairs and in homes using illustrated sheets and markers
  • Bullfighting was once the quintessential sport but is now controversial; as of 2022, 5 of 32 states have banned it and Mexico City closed its bullring
  • Baseball drew many fans away from bullfighting at the turn of the century
  • The Desierto de los Leones is the main forest reserve, declared a national park in 1917

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Mexico

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Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Do Not Travel To: Colima state due to crime and kidnapping. Guerrero state due to crime. Michoacan state due to crime and kidnapping. Sinaloa state due to crime and kidnapping Tamaulipas state due to crime and kidnapping. Zacatecas state due to crime and kidnapping. Reconsider Travel To: Baja California state due to crime and kidnapping. Chihuahua state due to crime and kidnapping. Durango state due to crime. Guanajuato state due to crime and kidnapping. Jalisco state due to crime and kidnapping. Morelos state due to crime. Sonora state due to crime and kidnapping.
Currency
19.63
Time Difference
UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Mexico has four time zones
Climate
With a climate that varies from tropical to desert, the terrain ranges from high rugged mountains to low coastal plains and high plateaus to desert. Mexican natural hazards include tsunamis on the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive earthquakes at the center and south, and hurricanes on the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean coasts.
Airports
1724
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Recipes

Featured Dish

Red Enchiladas

Main Dish

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History

Historical Eras

  1. Pre-Columbian Era

    1500 BCE – 1519

    Mesoamerica gave rise to successive complex civilizations, including Teotihuacán, the Zapotec culture centered at Monte Albán, the Classic Maya of the Yucatán, and finally the Aztec Empire, which dominated central Mexico from the 14th century. These societies built monumental architecture, developed writing and calendrical systems, and sustained large urban populations. The Aztec capital Tenochtitlán, founded around 1325, became one of the largest cities in the world by the early 16th century.

  2. Colonial New Spain

    1519 – 1810

    Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztec Empire between 1519 and 1521, establishing the Viceroyalty of New Spain under the Spanish Crown. Over three centuries, a stratified mestizo society emerged from the blending of indigenous, European, and African populations. Spanish mercantilist policies, the Catholic Church, and a rigid caste system shaped colonial life, while silver mining drove the economy and fueled resentment among creole and mestizo inhabitants increasingly excluded from power.

  3. Independence & Early Republic

    1810 – 1876

    Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla's 1810 Grito de Dolores ignited the independence movement; formal independence was achieved in 1821 under Agustín de Iturbide, who briefly declared himself emperor. The subsequent decades were marked by chronic instability, conservative-liberal conflicts, the catastrophic loss of roughly half the national territory to the United States after the Mexican-American War (1846–48), and the Reform War, culminating in Benito Juárez's liberal republic and the French-imposed reign of Emperor Maximilian (1864–67).

  4. Porfiriato

    1876 – 1910

    General Porfirio Díaz dominated Mexico for over three decades, imposing political order while aggressively modernizing the economy through foreign investment, railroad construction, and industrial expansion. His regime achieved notable growth but at the cost of civil liberties, suppression of indigenous and peasant land rights, and extreme concentration of wealth. The polarization between a privileged elite and an impoverished rural majority laid the groundwork for revolutionary upheaval.

  5. Revolution & Reform

    1910 – 1940

    The Mexican Revolution began in 1910 as a coalition of forces including Francisco Madero, Emiliano Zapata, and Pancho Villa overthrew Díaz and then fought one another in a decade of devastating factional warfare. The Constitution of 1917 enshrined land reform, labor rights, and national sovereignty over natural resources. President Lázaro Cárdenas (1934–40) implemented sweeping agrarian redistribution and nationalized the oil industry in 1938, consolidating the revolution's social promises under the dominant PRI political structure.

  6. Modern Mexico

    1940 – present

    Decades of PRI-managed rule produced sustained economic growth through the mid-20th century, but also entrenched corruption, inequality, and semiauthoritarian governance. The 1994 peso crisis and the Zapatista uprising in Chiapas exposed deep structural weaknesses. Democratic transition accelerated with Vicente Fox's historic 2000 electoral victory, ending 70 years of PRI dominance, though Mexico continues to grapple with poverty, narco-violence, income inequality, and the marginalization of indigenous communities in the south.

Overview

MEXICO’S MANY ARCHAEOLOGICAL treasures, its architectural wealth, and its diverse population provide physical clues to a past that has given rise to stories of migration, settlement, conquest, and nation-building. The cultural heritage of the Aztec, the Maya, and other advanced civilizations, seen in the ruins of their temples and in their artifacts, bears witness to the achievements of the early inhabitants of Mesoamerica (see Glossary).

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Timeline of Key Events

  1. 1500 BCE

    Villages appear, and inhabitants produce clay products.

    Villages appear, and inhabitants produce clay products.

  2. 200 BCE – 100

    Monte Albán civilization in southern Mexico.

    Monte Albán civilization in southern Mexico.

  3. 1 – 650

    Teotihuacán civilization in central Mexico.

    Teotihuacán civilization in central Mexico.

  4. 600 – 900

    Classic Mayan civilization in the Yucatan peninsula.

    Classic Mayan civilization in the Yucatan peninsula.

  5. 1300

    Aztec arrive in the Valley of Mexico.

    Aztec arrive in the Valley of Mexico.

  6. 1376

    First Aztec king crowned.

    First Aztec king crowned.

  7. 1500

    Early sixteenth century Colonial administration established.

    Early sixteenth century Colonial administration established. European settlers pour into colony seeking wealth. Native population decimated by disease and harsh labor practices.

View full timeline (80 events)
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Interesting Facts

  • When a child loses a tooth they leave the tooth in a box on the bedside table. El Raton, the magic mouse will take the tooth and bring some money. He leaves more money for a front tooth.

  • Mexico consumes the most Coca Cola at 412 (8 oz. serving)per person each year.

  • To the Mexicans, Mexico really means Mexico City. It is referred to as La republica Mexicana.

  • The meaning of the colours of the Mexican flag are: green for hope and fertility of the soil, white for purity and red for the blood shed during the fight for independence.

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Geography and Environment

Mexico is located in North America. It borders the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico between Belize and the U.S. and borders the North Pacific Ocean between Guatemala and the U.S. Its land mass covers approximately 1.9 million sq. kms, and has approximately 9,330 sq. kms of beachfront property. With a climate that varies from tropical to desert, the terrain ranges from high rugged mountains to low coastal plains and high plateaus to desert.
Terrain
high, rugged mountains; low coastal plains; high plateaus; desert
Climate
With a climate that varies from tropical to desert, the terrain ranges from high rugged mountains to low coastal plains and high plateaus to desert. Mexican natural hazards include tsunamis on the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive earthquakes at the center and south, and hurricanes on the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean coasts.
Natural Hazards
tsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean coasts
Current Environmental Issues
scarcity of hazardous waste disposal facilities; rural to urban migration; natural fresh water resources scarce and polluted in north, inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme southeast; raw sewage and industrial effluents polluting rivers in urban areas; deforestation; widespread erosion; desertification; deteriorating agricultural lands; serious air and water pollution in the national capital and urban centers along US-Mexico border; land subsidence in Valley of Mexico caused by groundwater depletion
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Spanish only 92.7%, Spanish and indigenous languages 5.7%, indigenous only 0.8%, unspecified 0.8%

Note: indigenous languages include various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional languages

  • Spanish

Population

Population
128,455,567
Population: Male/Female
male: 63,899,138 female: 66,840,789
Population Distribution
most of the population is found in the middle of the country between the states of Jalisco and Veracruz; approximately a quarter of the population lives in and around Mexico City
Urban Population
urban population: 81.6% of total population rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change
Population in Major Urban Areas
22.281 million MEXICO CITY (capital), 5.420 million Guadalajara, 5.117 million Monterrey, 3.345 million Puebla, 2.626 million Toluca de Lerdo, 2.260 million Tijuana
Nationality Noun
noun: Mexican(s) adjective: Mexican
Ethnic Groups
Mestizo (Indigenous-Spanish) 62%, predominantly Indigenous 21%, Indigenous 7%, other 10% (mostly European)
Language Note
Spanish only 93.8%, Spanish and indigenous languages 5.4%, indigenous only 0.6%, unspecified 0.2%; note - indigenous languages include various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional languages

Education

Literacy Definition
age 15 and over can read and write

Private schools tend to have lots of money for nice facilities and books. The buildings are in good shape, and the teachers have plenty of funding for support materials, including modern computers. Teachers in these schools also tend to emphasize bilingual instruction.

Public schools can have much less funding, although government programs now provide free books to 90% of the public schools in Mexico. In poorer towns, it is not uncommon for schools to be missing windows and have bare cement floors. Supplies and other resources are also lacking.

The average classroom size will vary between 22 and 32 students per teacher, with some indigenous community schools having as high as 40 or more students per teacher.

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth
total population: 75.1 years male: 72.4 years female: 77.9 years
Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 4.25 liters of pure alcohol beer: 3.72 liters of pure alcohol wine: 0.19 liters of pure alcohol spirits: 0.19 liters of pure alcohol
Tobacco Use
total: 13.1% male: 19.9% female: 6.2%
Child Marriage
women married by age 15: 3.6% women married by age 18: 20.7%
Infant Mortality Rate
total: 12.1 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth
total population: 75.1 years male: 72.4 years female: 77.9 years
Median Age
total: 30.8 years male: 28.8 years female: 32.7 years
Age Structure
0-14 years: 23.3% (male 15,647,805/female 14,754,004) 15-64 years: 68.6% (male 43,651,105/female 45,983,174) 65 years and over: 8.2% (male 4,600,228/female 6,103,611)
Infant Mortality Rate
total: 12.1 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.9 deaths/1,000 live births
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
Mexico
Full Country Name
United Mexican States
Local - Long
Estados Unidos Mexicanos
Local - Short
Mexico

Government Structure

Government Type
federal republic
Legal System
mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Executive Branch
chief of state: President Claudia Sheinbaum (since October 2024); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Claudia Sheinbaum (since October 2024); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; note - appointment of the attorney general requires consent of the Senate elections: president elected by popular vote for a single six-year term (sexenio); no re-election permitted; election last held on June 2, 2024 (next to be held in 2030); Claudia Sheinbaum of the Morena party won with approximately 59% of the vote, becoming Mexico's first female president
Legislative Branch
Bicameral National Congress or Congreso de la Union consists of the Senate or Camara de Senadores (128 seats; 96 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 32 directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve six-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara Federal de Diputados (500 seats; 300 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 200 directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve three-year terms). Elections: Senate - last held on 2 June 2024 (next to be held in June 2030); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 2 June 2024 (next to be held in June 2027). Election results: Senate - seats by party/coalition - Sigamos Haciendo Historia coalition (Morena, PT, PVEM) 83, PAN 22, PRI 13, MC 7, PRD 3; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party/coalition - Sigamos Haciendo Historia coalition (Morena, PT, PVEM) 364, PAN 70, PRI 36, MC 27, PRD 2, other 1; note - the 2024 elections marked a significant shift in the balance of power, with the ruling Morena party and its allies securing a legislative supermajority in both chambers for the first time since the party's founding.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court of Justice or Suprema Corte de Justicia Nacional (justices or ministros are appointed by the president with consent of the Senate)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory (but not enforced)
Constitution
5-Feb-17
Independence
16 September 1810 (from Spain)
National Holiday
Independence Day, 16 September (1810)

Capital City

Capital Name
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico)
Capital - geographic coordinate
19 26 N, 99 08 W
Capital Time Difference
UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Mexico has four time zones

named after the Mexica, the largest and most powerful branch of the Aztecs; the meaning of the name is uncertain

Military

Branches: Secretariat of National Defense (Secretaria de Defensa Nacional, Sedena): Army (Ejercito), Mexican Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Mexicana, FAM); Secretariat of the Navy (Secretaria de Marina, Semar): Mexican Navy (Armada de Mexico (ARM); includes Naval Air Force (FAN), Mexican Naval Infantry Corps (Cuerpo de Infanteria de Marina, Mexmar or CIM))

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtémoc; telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may contact the Embassy by e-mail or visit the Embassy website. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City is also on Facebook & Twitter.

The Embassy serves a consular district encompassing the Federal District of Mexico; the states of Guanajuato, Querétaro, Hidalgo, Veracruz, Michoacán, the State of Mexico (Estado de México), Tlaxcala, Morelos, Puebla, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Tabasco, and Chiapas; and the city of Tampico, Tamaulipas. In addition to the Embassy, there are nine United States consulates and ten separate consular agencies located throughout Mexico. In the list below you will find the consular district covered by each consulate.

CONSULATES (with consular districts defined by Mexican state):

Ciudad Juárez (Chihuahua): Paseo de la Victoria 3650, telephone (011) (52) (656) 227-3000. Facebook & Twitter

Guadalajara (Nayarit, Jalisco, Aguascalientes, and Colima): Progreso 175, Col. Americana; telephone (011) (52) (333) 268-2100. Facebook & Twitter

Hermosillo (Sinaloa and the southern part of Sonora): Calle Monterrey 141 Poniente, Col. Esqueda; telephone (011) (52) (662) 289-3500. Facebook

Matamoros (most of the state of Tamaulipas with the exception of a northwest section and the city of Tampico): Avenida Primera 2002 y Azaleas; telephone (011) (52) (868) 812-4402. Facebook & Twitter

Mérida (Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo): Calle 60 No. 338 K x 29 y 31, Col. Alcalá Martín; telephone (011) (52) (999) 942-5700. Facebook & Twitter

Monterrey (Nuevo León, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí, and the southern part of Coahuila): Avenida Constitución 411 Poniente; telephone (011) (52) (818) 047-3100. Facebook & Twitter

Nogales (the northern part of Sonora): Calle San José, Fraccionamiento "Los Álamos"; telephone (011) (52) (631) 311-8150. Facebook & Twitter

Nuevo Laredo (the northern part of Coahuila and the northwestern part of Tamaulipas): Calle Allende 3330, Col. Jardín; telephone (011) (52) (867) 714-0512. Facebook & Twitter

Tijuana (Baja California Norte and Baja California Sur): Paseo de Las Culturas s/n Mesa de Otay, telephone (011) (52) (664) 977-2000. Facebook

CONSULAR AGENCIES (mainly serving the location city only):

Acapulco: Hotel Emporio, Costera Miguel Alemán 121 – Suite 14; telephone (011)(52)(744) 481-0100 or (011)(52)(744) 484-0300.

Los Cabos: Tiendas de Palmilla, Carretera Transpeninsular Km 27.5

Local B221, San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23406: Telephone: (624) 143-3566 Fax: (624) 143-6750

Cancún: Blvd. Kukulcán Km 13, Torre La Europea, Despacho 301 ZH; telephone (011)(52)(998) 883-0272.

Cozumel: Plaza Villa Mar en El Centro, Plaza Principal (Parque Juárez between Melgar and 5th Ave.), 2nd floor, Locales #8 and 9; telephone (011)(52)(987) 872-4574.

Mazatlán: Hotel Playa Mazatlán, Playa Gaviotas 202, Zona Dorada; telephone (011)(52)(669) 916-5889.

Oaxaca: Macedonio Alcalá No. 407, Interior 20; telephone (011)(52)(951)514-3054 or (011)(52)(951) 516-2853.

Piedras Negras: Abasolo 211, Local 3, Col. Centro; telephone (011)(52)(878) 782-5586 or (011)(52)(878) 782-8664.

Playa del Carmen: The Palapa, Calle 1 Sur, between Avenida 15 and Avenida 20; telephone (011)(52)(984) 873-0303.

Puerto Vallarta : Paseo de Los Cocoteros 85 Sur, Paradise Plaza – Local L-7, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit C.P. 63732; telephone (011)(52)(322) 222-0069 or 322-223-3301.

San Miguel de Allende: Centro Comercial La Luciernaga, Libramiento Manuel Zavala (Pepe KBZON), telephone (011)(52)(415) 152-2357.

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Economy

Mexico has a free market economy that blends modern and traditional industry and agriculture, with the private sector playing an increasingly dominant role. Successive administrations have expanded competition in seaports, railroads, telecommunications, electricity generation, natural gas distribution, and airports.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Mexican Peso (MXN)
GDP — official exchange rate
$693,000,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
1.5%
Gini Index
54.6
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News & Weather

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Latest News

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Climate Overview

With a climate that varies from tropical to desert, the terrain ranges from high rugged mountains to low coastal plains and high plateaus to desert. Mexican natural hazards include tsunamis on the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive earthquakes at the center and south, and hurricanes on the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean coasts.

Videos

2 curated YouTube videos.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Mexico?
The population of Mexico is approximately 128.5M.
How do people greet each other in Mexico?
The usual greeting is a handshake or a nod of the head, with hugs common between friends and women often greeting each other with a kiss on the cheek. Mexicans are generally friendly and polite, and stand close while talking. Do: Use "buenos días" in the morning, "buenas tardes" at noon and before 7 p.m., and "buenas noches" at night Say "disculpa" (excuse me) to get someone's attention Expect friends to stand close and sometimes touch your clothing while talking Young friends may say "que onda, wey?"; adults may say "quibole!" When leaving, people say "cuídate mucho", "saludos a todos", or "ahí nos vemos"
What are the dining customs in Mexico?
Staple foods include corn, beans, rice, and chillies, with tortillas eaten everywhere. Lunch, around 12 p.m., is usually the main meal, and dinner is at home depending on the family's schedule. Do: Keep both hands above the table while eating Stay for conversation after a meal rather than leaving directly Use tortillas as scoops for sauces Eat some foods with utensils and others with the hand, as appropriate Don't: Don't eat while walking on the street if you are an adult Popular dishes include frijoles refritos (refried beans) and posole (white corn boiled with pork) The father normally eats at the head of the table
What should I know about visiting a Mexican home?
Mexicans are very accommodating and welcome visitors, even unannounced, serving refreshments. First-time visitors usually receive a tour of the host's home. Do: Accept refreshments when offered Expect a tour of the home on a first visit Don't: Don't refuse refreshments, as it is considered impolite
How do people dress in Mexico?
Most Mexicans, especially in urban areas, wear clothing common in other Western countries, while traditional clothing is worn in rural areas for daily use or festivals, valuing color and beauty. The sombrero is an iconic garment linked to the vaquero, peasant farmer, and mariachi, and protects from the sun The shawl (rebozo) is a common women's accessory used as a scarf, shawl, or to carry children or market items
Are there gestures I should be aware of in Mexico?
Hand and arm gestures are often used in conversation, and items should be handed, not tossed, to another person. Don't: Don't toss an item to someone, as it shows a lack of manners and is offensive
What is family life like in Mexico?
The family unit is very important, and families are usually large, though smaller in urban areas. Traditionally the father leads the family and the mother runs the household, though this is changing as more women work. Divorce is relatively low, partly due to the Catholic population When dating, a young man often meets a young woman at a prearranged place, and parental approval is important Marriage follows Catholic traditions, with a civil ceremony first followed by a church ceremony
What do people do for fun in Mexico?
Soccer (fútbol) is hugely popular among children, along with basketball and volleyball to a lesser degree. Traditional games like "lotería" and sports such as baseball and bullfighting are also part of the culture. "Lotería" is a group game played at fairs and in homes using illustrated sheets and markers Bullfighting was once the quintessential sport but is now controversial; as of 2022, 5 of 32 states have banned it and Mexico City closed its bullring Baseball drew many fans away from bullfighting at the turn of the century The Desierto de los Leones is the main forest reserve, declared a national park in 1917
What is the capital of Mexico?
Mexico City — officially Ciudad de México — is the capital and by far the largest city in the country. Sitting atop the ancient lakebed of the Valley of Mexico at an elevation of roughly 2,240 metres, it is one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the Western Hemisphere. The city is so dominant in national life that Mexicans colloquially refer to it simply as "Mexico," distinguishing the broader nation as La República Mexicana. It serves as the political, economic, and cultural heart of the federal presidential republic.
Where is Mexico located?
Mexico is located in North America, occupying the southern portion of the continent and serving as a land bridge between North and Central America. It is bordered to the north by the United States and to the south by Guatemala and Belize. The country is flanked by the Pacific Ocean to the west and southwest, the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea to the east. This position gives Mexico extraordinary geographic and climatic diversity, from Sonoran desert in the north to tropical rainforest in the south.
What countries border Mexico?
Mexico shares land borders with three countries. To the north, it shares a nearly 3,145-kilometre frontier with the United States, one of the longest and most heavily crossed borders in the world. To the southeast, Mexico borders Guatemala and Belize, connecting it to Central America. These southern borders are characterized by rugged terrain, tropical forest, and the cultural and linguistic legacy of ancient Mayan civilization, which flourished across this entire region long before European contact.
What religion is practiced in Mexico?
Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Mexico, claimed nominally by approximately 89 percent of the population. This deep Catholic heritage dates to three centuries of Spanish colonial rule and remains woven into national culture, public holidays, and local festivals. Protestantism accounts for roughly 6 percent of the population, with evangelical denominations growing notably in recent decades, particularly in southern states. The remaining 5 percent follow other faiths or none. Indigenous spiritual traditions often blend syncretically with Catholic practice, especially in rural and southern communities.
What is the currency of Mexico?
The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican Peso, with the ISO code MXN. The peso has a long and turbulent monetary history; a sharp devaluation in late 1994 triggered one of the worst economic recessions in the country's modern history, sending shockwaves through Latin American and global markets. Since that crisis, Mexico has pursued significant fiscal reforms and the peso has stabilized as a freely floating currency. Banknotes and coins feature prominent figures from Mexican history, archaeology, and natural heritage.
What language is spoken in Mexico?
Spanish is the official and overwhelmingly dominant language, spoken exclusively by approximately 92.7 percent of the population. A further 5.7 percent speak Spanish alongside an indigenous language, while around 0.8 percent speak an indigenous language only. Mexico is home to a remarkable diversity of native tongues, including various Mayan languages concentrated in the Yucatán Peninsula and southern highlands, Nahuatl — the language of the Aztec Empire — spoken widely in central Mexico, and dozens of other regional languages. Mexico has more Spanish speakers than any other country in the world.
What is Mexico known for?
Mexico is known for a rich and specific cultural footprint that spans cuisine, archaeology, and festival tradition. Its food — tacos, mole, tamales, and chiles en nogada — is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. The country is home to world-renowned archaeological sites including Teotihuacán and the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá. Día de los Muertos, the elaborate multi-day celebration honoring deceased ancestors each November, is one of the most distinctive festivals on earth. Mexico is also the world's leading producer of silver and a major exporter of automobiles, avocados, and crude oil.
What is the geography and terrain of Mexico like?
Mexico's terrain is strikingly varied, encompassing high central plateaus, twin mountain ranges, fertile coastal plains, and dense tropical lowlands. The Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental run roughly parallel down the western and eastern flanks of the country, enclosing the vast Mexican Plateau where most of the population lives. The far south transitions into the rugged highlands of Chiapas and the flat limestone shelf of the Yucatán Peninsula. Volcanic peaks, including Popocatépetl and Citlaltépetl — Mexico's highest summit at 5,636 metres — punctuate the central Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt.

Last reviewed 2026

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